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WALKING TOURS OF ROME

The Basilica of Maxentius

1/10/2020

 
Map
Basilica Maxentius, Forum, Rome
The Basilica Maxentius

The Basilica of Maxentius (also known as the Basilica Nova), which stands in the Forum Romanum, was begun by Maxentius and completed (with major modifications) by Constantine, following his defeat of the former at the famous Battle of the Milvian Bridge (October 28th, 312). 

The enormous building, the largest ever built in the Forum, was 100 metres long and 65 metres wide. However, all that survives of it are three vast barrel-vaulted niches, each 20.5 metres wide, 17.5 metres deep and 24.5 metres high, which formed the north side of the basilica. The vaults are decorated with weight-saving octagonal coffers.

The three barrel-vaulted niches would have been repeated on the south side. The main body of the basilica rose to a height of 35 metres and its three groin-vaults had a span of almost 20 metres!

The interior walls of the basilica were faced with marble and stucco. The eight colossal Corinthian columns, each 14.5 metres high, which stood in the central section, have disappeared, apart from one, which was moved by Pope Paul V (r. 1605-21) to Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, where it still stands. 

A colossal acrolithic statue of the Emperor Constantine (r. 306-337) graced the west apse. Remains of the statue were unearthed at the end of the 15th century and are on display in the courtyard of Palazzo dei Conservatori.  

Basilica of Maxentius, Forum, Rome
Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

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    My name is David Lown and I am an art historian from Cambridge, England. Since 2001 I have lived in Italy, where I run private and
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  • Home
  • Private Tours
  • Small-Group Tours
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • St Peter's Basilica
    • Altars >
      • Altar of St Joseph
      • Altar of St Gregory the Great
      • Altar of the Madonna of Succour
      • Altar of St Sebastian
      • Altar of the Lie
      • Altar of the Presentation of the Virgin
      • Altar of St Jerome
      • Altar of the Transfiguration
      • Altar of Pope Leo the Great
    • Monuments >
      • Countess Matilda of Canossa
      • Maria Clementina Sobieska
      • Queen Christina of Sweden
      • Pope Innocent VIII
      • Pope Paul III
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      • Pope Gregory XIV
      • Pope Leo XI
      • Pope Urban VIII
      • Pope Alexander VII
      • Pope Clement X
      • Pope Innocent XI
      • Pope Alexander VIII
      • Pope Innocent XII
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      • Pope Clement XIII
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      • Pope Pius VIII
      • Pope Gregory XVI
      • Pope Pius X
      • Pope Benedict XV
      • Pope Pius XI
      • Pope Pius XII
      • Pope John XXIII
      • The Stuarts
    • Portico >
      • Door of Death
      • Door of Good and Evil
      • Central Door
      • Door of the Sacraments
      • Holy Door
    • Pieta
    • Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
    • Cathedra Petri
    • Crossing >
      • Baldacchino
      • Confessio
      • Dome
      • St Longinus
      • St Helena
      • St Veronica
      • St Andrew
    • St Peter
    • Chapel of the Choir
    • Chapel of the Baptistery
    • Nave
  • Sistine Chapel
    • North Wall
    • South Wall
    • East Wall
    • Ceiling: Part One >
      • Ceiling: Part Two
      • Ceiling: Part Three
    • The Last Judgement
  • Fountains
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Fontana della Barcaccia
    • Fountain of the Triton
    • Fountain of the Bees
    • Fountain of Moses
    • Fountain of the Four Rivers
    • Fountain of the Acqua Paola
    • Fountain of the Turtles
    • Fountain of the Naiads
    • Fountain of the Cannonball
    • Piazza del Popolo
    • Fountain of the Pantheon
    • Fountains of Piazza Farnese
    • Fountain of Goddess Roma
    • Rioni Fountains
    • Street Fountains
    • Venice Marries the Sea
    • St Peter's Square
    • Fountain of the Moor
    • Fountain of Neptune
    • Fountain of the Porter
    • Fountain of the Seahorses
  • Gallery
    • Piazzas >
      • Piazza del Campidglio
      • Piazza del Quirinale
      • Piazza del Popolo
      • Piazza di Spagna
      • Piazza Navona
      • Piazza S. M. in Trastevere
      • Piazza San Pietro
    • Mosaics
    • Fountains
    • Churches
    • Ancient Rome
    • Palaces
    • Domes
    • Papal Coats of Arms
    • Street Shrines
    • Old Photographs
    • Borromini & the Baroque